NAIROBI, Kenya — The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a 37-year-old Chinese national and a Kenyan man over the illegal trade in thousands of live ants, in a case highlighting the growing threat of wildlife trafficking in lesser-known species.
The two suspects, Zhang Kequn, 37, and Charles Mwangi, 35, were arraigned on Tuesday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Law Courts, where they faced multiple charges, including dealing in live wildlife species and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Thousands of Ants Seized
Prosecutors John Tago and Mercy Katsivo told the court that the duo was arrested on March 10, 2026, while in possession of 3,361 live ants, including 1,948 garden ants packaged in specialized tubes and 300 live ants concealed in tissue rolls — all without a permit.
Mwangi faces an additional charge after he was allegedly found on March 13 in Gilgil town with:
- 1,000 live ants in a pink basin
- 113 garden ants stored in syringes
- 503 empty syringes in a sack
Authorities say the packaging methods pointed to a coordinated and sophisticated trafficking operation.
Alleged Wildlife Trade Scheme
𝐃𝐏𝐏 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝟑𝟕-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a Chinese national and a Kenyan man for dealing in live wildlife species,
The court heard that Zhang had been purchasing the ants from Mwangi at Sh100 per ant, paying Sh60,000 for 600 ants and an additional Sh70,000 for 700 ants.
The prosecution further told the court that the suspects conspired between March 10 and 13 to traffic the wildlife species, contrary to Kenyan conservation laws.
Bond Opposition
The DPP opposed granting bond to the Chinese national, arguing he is a flight risk. The court was told that Zhang entered Kenya on February 27, 2026, on a tourist visa and lacks a fixed place of residence in the country.
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi.
Case Mention Date
The case will be mentioned on March 27, 2026, as investigations continue into the illegal wildlife trade network.
Authorities have increasingly raised concerns over the trafficking of small and lesser-known species such as ants, warning that the practice poses ecological risks and undermines biodiversity conservation efforts in Kenya.
